Liverpool and Everton stars stand in the way

Following England’s World Cup draw last Friday, there were a few mixed reactions. There was a lot of doom and gloom about, with thoughts that England would be sure to lose against Uruguay and Italy, while others were pleased with the draw and believe better teams will bring the best out of Roy Hodgson’s men.

Whichever way you look at it Group D will be tough. Uruguay will be strong on their own continent with Liverpool’s Luis Suarez leading their attack, Italy are always a hard side to beat, and then there’s the unknown quantity of Costa Rica who themselves have a few Premier League players including Everton’s latest hit Bryan Oviedo.

Here are a few stats ahead of next summer’s tournament, where England will be looking to net more than the three goals they scored in South Africa in 2010 and will be relying on the likes of Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge to fire them into the knockout stages…